Malta Ridges Fire Stations

First Firehouse #1 (1947)

Location: Route 9 and Cherry Choke Road

Malta Ridge's first firehouse for housing our fire truck was located on Route 9 and Cherry Choke Road, where the Packhorse Restaurant is located today. (Built in 1947, it was a garage for a Packard and Willy Jeep Dealership).

In 1948, Irving Levine, a founding member of the fire company allowed the 1928 American LaFrance to be housed in back of the show room of the dealership. The picture shows the dealership. In the picture you see a chimney. On the other side of the chimney, (where you cannot see,) was a garage door that opened into a bay. This is where the fire truck was housed until the fall of 1949. The fire truck was then moved to the new location at the corner of Route 9 and Malta Avenue Extension. It was then housed in the fire company's first owned property and firehouse.

Second Firehouse #1 (1949)

Location: Corner of Route 9 and Malta Avenue Extension

The minutes show the members talked about building a firehouse at the June 6, 1949 meeting. Somehow, the fire company found out the US Army was selling a Quonset hut and purchased the property.

Multiple modifications were made to the facility to better allow the members to utilize the building and serve the community. These included, the first siren being installed on a pole ,the wood stove was replaced with a warm air furnace, a kitchen and bathrooms were built in an addition, a well was installed, creation of a meeting room and an expansion of the truck-bay.

Sometime in the late summer of 1970, the company moved from the Quonset hut into a new three bay firehouse. Power to the Quonset hut was shut off the end August, 1971. The Quonset hut was then moved to its present location at the Malta Town Garage.

Third Fire Station #1 (1970)

Location: Corner of Route 9 and Malta Avenue Extension

There was constant talk of building a new firehouse. The members wanted to start the new firehouse in 1969. During the March 18, April 8 and May 13 meetings the building plans and decisions were made. At the May 27, at a special meeting the final decision was made to go with H. Laphan & Son Inc. United Progress Inc. Albany, NY. The ground breaking for the new firehouse was held June 21, 1969. The fire company started to move into this firehouse sometime in August of 1970.

First South Station (1975)

Location: South side of Dunning Street (250 East of Route 9)

Malta Ridges Fire Company’s first south station was located on Dunning Street. The location was just about 250 feet east of route 9, (Malta four corners) on the south side of Dunning Street. It was a two bay garage. The fire company had to make repairs to the facility to allow for the company to utilize the facility. These included; electric, phone, signs, door locks and insulating the roof. On August 12th, 382 was relocated to the South Station.

Second South Station

Location: 2603 Route 9

This is Malta Ridge’s Second South Station. This firehouse was used to house two fire vehicles. It has served the company well over the years for its intended use. Due to the town area around the firehouse changing and the fire company looking to replace this building with one that will blend with the area and its growth. A new building serving both Malta Ridge Fire Company and Round Lake Fire Company was created.

Fourth Fire Station #1

Location: Corner of Route 9 and Malta Avenue Extension

 The station was designed by architect George T. Farnum. The station was completed under direct supervision of the fire company as opposed to hiring a new general contractor. To this day the station serves the fire company effectively and efficiently.

Third South Station

Location: 8 Hemphill Place

Because of the explosive growth in the center of the town the Malta Ridge and Round Lake Fire Companies embarked on a creative program to provide faster services in the center of the town.  A not-for-profit corporation called Fire Companies of Malta (FCOM) was created.  FCOM then built a new station on Hemphill Place to house both fire companies so they can provide a faster response to residents and businesses on the center portion of town.